Dracaena fernaldii
Endemic to Lanai, this drought-tolerant shrub or small tree reaches 6–8 m in height with sword-shaped leaves in dense rosettes, bears yellow flowers and red berries, occurs in remnant dry forests at 490–670 m, and is federally endangered with about 400–1000 individuals remaining and little recruitment.
Common Names
Lānaʻi Hala Pepe, Lanai Hala Pepe, Hala Pepe, Leie, Kuhaʻo, Ku La, Halapepe
Summary
Lanai hala pepe is an endemic Hawaiian shrub or small tree native to Lanai, occurring in remnant dry forests and on steep slopes at elevations of 490–670 m. It grows erect to 6–8 m tall, with leaves in dense rosettes, yellow-green flowers, and bright red berries.
Drought-tolerant and suited to warm subtropical or tropical climates with very well-drained soils, it prefers full to partial sun and is wind-tolerant; hardy to USDA zones 10–11; propagation by seeds; wild population 400–1,000 individuals with little recruitment observed in the past decade due to habitat loss; used as an ornamental specimen plant in parks and large gardens, with Hawaiian ethnobotany including leaves in leis and wood used for idols.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
19 ft 8 in – 26 ft 3 in
Hardiness Zones
Zones 10-11
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun or partial sun, partial shade
Soil Type
Very well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Soil Drainage
Very well-drained soils.
Bloom Color
Yellowish-green to greenish-yellow
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Medium to dark green.
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Slow
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts insects and hummingbirds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (H.St.John) Jankalski
- Publication
- Sansevieria 18: 20 (2008)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Asparagales
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Dracaena
Synonyms
Pleomele fernaldii Dracaena hawaiiensis Chrysodracon fernaldii